Bible Study Series Goals for this study: To critically examine what it means to be a church member, from God s point of view. To generate ideas that will help ALL church members become more engaged in the life of the church and ministry. To facilitate discussion on barriers to effective church ministry by all members. Book Author: Thom Rainer PowerPoint Inspired by: Ivy Baptist Church Dr. Kevin Swann, Pastor 1
Our Commitment: I am committed to having a new or renewing my attitude about our church. I will seek to put the needs of others before my own needs. I will not be a part of the problem, but a part of the solution. I will seek to be a unified member of our church. Question Do you believe that Christians (generally speaking) are more positive or negative when it comes to life and how we deal with and respond to trials? 2
Like most things in life, it is our ATTITUDEand APPROACHto salvation and church membership that will make the biggest difference in how we EXPERIENCEGod, Christ, salvation, and the church! How we see church is a REFLECTIONof our positive vsnegative VIEWand approach to church! Instead of viewing church membership as a RIGHT or BENEFITwe should first see it as a GIFT. 3
Salvation is a GIFT: Romans 3:23 & Romans 6:23 tells us why we need JESUS! We cannot SAVE ourselves! Ephesians 2:8-10 ~ We cannot WORKfor salvation. It is a GIFT. What is included in the gift of salvation? 1. ETERNALlife with God and Christ. 2. FORGIVENESSof sins (Christ s death on the cross). 3. ADOPTION into the spiritual family of God. 4
What is included in the gift of salvation? 4. REGENERATION by the Holy Ghost. 5. The right to ask God to fill you with the HOLY GHOST. 6. Placement into the BODY of Christ. Key Points: Membership into the body of Christ is a result of SALVATION, which is a GIFTfrom God. Christians should show their APPRECIATIONfor the gift of salvation that God has given us through SERVINGand GIVINGin the body of Christ (first locally, then abroad). 5
Key Points: We should display GRATITUDEand THANKSGIVING for the gift we have received! Our lives should be REFLECTIVEof our thanks to Christ for what He has done! Closing Questions: Does your serving and giving reflect how APPRECIATIVE you are for the gift of salvation? Are you SERVINGand GIVINGto the body of Christ (locally and abroad) to the best of your ability? 6
Chapter 6 Pledge This membership is a gift. When I received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I became a part of the body of Christ. I soon thereafter identified with a local body and was baptized. And now I am humbled and honored to serve and to love others in our church. Chapter 6 Pledge I pray that I will never take my membership for granted,but see it as a gift and an opportunity to serve others and to be a part of something so much greater than any one person of member. 7
Closing Thoughts on the Book: 1. Church membership is not about what I can get, but what I can give (time, talent, treasure). 2. I must take the lead in loving, serving, and forgiving others in my church. It starts with me. Closing Thoughts on the Book: 3. Love should be the most powerful force in my church, because God is love. 4. Secular membership and biblical church membership are not the same. I will never compare the two again. 8
Closing Thoughts on the Book: 5. My attitude and approach to church is just as important as my service and giving to the church. Visit the Lighthouse Bookstore 9